No, not the California Highway Patrol (nor CHiPs), Cogeneration(Combined-Heat Power) is combining the production of electricity and heat. Right now, major US electricity production has waste heat that is that, waste. Tremendous opportunities exist in the Untied States for converting this "waste" to something useful. And, well, in America's homes, the (just-finished winter season) heating goes on without generating electricity.
That, however, is starting to change with the introduction of some Micro-CHP systems suitable for the homeowner and small businesses. (Excellent site for discussion.)
Climate Energysells a micro-CHP that provides 120,000 btu heating system that generates 1.2 kilowatts of electricity. While not enough to fully cover most homes electricial needs (perhaps covering half the total electrical load over a year), in the heating season, the Micro-CHP system has a high efficiency rating.
Simply put, combined heat and power means that the fuel normally used to keep a home warm is used twice, first to produce electric power and then to heat the home. The Climate Energy freewatt™ is heat-led, and electric power is generated whenever heat is produced to satisfy normal space or water heating demands in the home.
Climate Energy points out that a traditional grid electricity/home fuel furnace combination wastes over 60% of the availabe energy. The Micro-CHP system reduces that waste to just 7-17%.
Climate Energy markets in the North East.
One 'hot' market for home CHP is the United Kingdom. According to the Gizmag discussion Household heating takes pole position on the electricity grid
It is currently estimated that such mCHPs in homes and businesses could ultimately generate up to 20 GW of the UK’s energy demands, which is equivalent to the UK’s existing nuclear capacity. They are also far more efficient than centrally producing energy through power stations and more flexible too as energy is generated at the point of demand in the home, rather than through power stations, where the overall efficiency can be just 45 percent, compared to the 90 percent for a mCHP.
Players in the UK Micro-CHP market include Disenco Energy(a 15 kw heat and 3 kw electricity system) and PowerGen's WhisperGen (which will be on the market in early 2009).
Is energy "efficiency" the only benefit from going with (micro)CHPs? Well, that efficiency does translate to reduced GHGs. But, for the individual owner, there is an important benefit.
In fact, the "additional" cost for going CHP rather than a traditional gas furnace is probably right around the range of the cost for buying a generator. Thus, if you also want a generator, there is no additional cost for all the eventual energy / fuel savings.
Note, however, that this is a limited power supply. A 1.2 kilowatt doesn't run your stove but it can keep the lights on and the food from spoiling in the refrigerator. (And, well, it would keep the heating system running so that you don't freeze in winter.)
This individual benefit translates to a societal benefit -- distributed power is one path toward increasing the electrical grid's resiliency in the face of disaster (natural or manmade). Thus, if a community has many homes and businesses with mCHPs, there will be some continuity of power (even if within specific homes and businesses) if, for example, an ice storm knocks out the power for a few days.
Is CHP and, as a subset, microCHPs the answer to the Globe's energy and environmental challenges? Well, simply, Hell NO!!! Even with improved efficiencies, these still will be emitting Co2 and burning natural gas which, in the United States, is past peak. On the other hand, improved power generation is part of the solution path as we move toward a sustainable and prosperous energy future as envisioned/pursued by Energize America.
Should CHP and mCHP be the top priority path toward a better energy future? No. But, these are useful and supporting stepping stones along the path toward that better future.
Ask yourself: Are you doing your part?
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